Key Take-Aways:

The Laowa FFII 58mm f/2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X, sold by Laowa as the 58mm f/2.8 2X Ultra-Macro APO, is a manual-focus full-frame macro lens that focuses from 2x magnification to infinity, with a 41 degree angle of view, a 67 mm filter thread and a 595 g weight, and costs $499. As of Oct 2026, three written reviews and six videos are linked. Dustin Abbott is delighted with it and calls it a top-notch value lens: he praises the build, the apochromatic design at a low price, the excellent chromatic aberration control, good contrast, punchy colours and consistent sharpness across the frame, and he finds the wider focal length versatile though very close macro is a little harder because of the closer working distance; he criticises the poorly fitting lens hood, some ghosting in certain conditions and the lack of electronics and weather sealing. Keith Cooper’s Northlight review calls it “a very nice lens”, with very low distortion and chromatic aberration and a solid build that may be a bit heavy for some; he notes that it is fully manual, though focus peaking makes it far easier to use, and that for out-and-out close-up work the 90mm’s greater subject distance might be more useful. Phillip Reeve finds it very sharp from wide open and extraordinarily sharp in the centre, with exemplary chromatic aberration control, virtually non-existent distortion, a well built body and good handling; he dislikes the lack of electronic contacts (and so of autofocus), says the focus breathing is massive and videographers should look elsewhere, and notes that the first two samples Laowa sent him were decentred (a third production sample was fine) and advises readers to check their lens for decentering. Of the videos, Dustin Abbott’s description calls it an exceptional new macro, Wes Perry compares it with the Sony 90mm macro, Keith Cooper looks at how it differs from Laowa’s 90mm macro, Richard Wong’s chapters cover sharpness at normal, 1x and 2x magnification, bokeh, vignetting, flare, distortion and focus breathing, and Christopher Frost sets out to see whether it is easier to use and as sharp as Laowa’s longer 2x macros; Micael Widell’s video is a review of the lens.

From Laowa:

Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO is a mirrorless-designed macro lens with a 40.9° angle of view on full frame sensors. It features an apochromatic (APO) characteristic that chromatic aberration at both ‘in-focus’ & ‘out-of-focus’ is compressed to a minimum. Like many other Laowa macro lenses, this lens is able to focus from 2:1 magnification to infinity which can serve as both macro and portrait lenses. It has 3 extra-low dispersion (ED) glasses and 3 glasses with Ultra-High Refractive Index which produces pictures with outstanding sharpness. The lens weighs around 595g which is portable to carry around. It comes with 4 mounts: Sony E / Canon R / Nikon Z / L mount.

This new 58mm lens is capable of focusing from 2X magnification to infinity. Giving you more flexibility in subject selection. From tiny ant to larger dragonfly, you can capture it in one single lens. More details of the objects can be captured at 2X magnification.

Official Website

Laowa publishes one set of figures for all mounts and does not list L-mount-specific ones, so the weight and dimensions are as published for the lens in every mount.

Reviews:

• DustinAbbott.net: Laowa 58mm F2.8 APO 2x Macro Review, Dustin Abbott, Sep 2022
• Northlight Images: Review: New Laowa 58mm 2x macro lens testing and review, Keith Cooper, Sep 2022
• Phillip Reeve: Review: Laowa FFII 58mm f2.8 CA-Dreamer Macro 2X APO, Martin, Dec 2023

YouTube:

• Christopher Frost: Laowa 58mm f/2.8 Macro 2x lens review, Sep 2022
• Richard Wong: Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x macro review, Sep 2022
• Micael Widell: Laowa 58mm 2x Macro Lens Review, Sep 2022
• Keith Cooper: Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2x Macro lens review - for mirrorless cameras, Sep 2022
• Dustin Abbott: Laowa 58mm F2.8 APO 2x (2:1) Macro Review - Another Winner!, Sep 2022
• Wes Perry: Sony is Falling Behind! Laowa 58mm Macro Review, Oct 2022